This autumn marks a century of organized chess in the Palmetto State as the 2026 South Carolina Chess Championship returns to the Columbia Chess Club from October 16 through October 18.
Jointly hosted by the South Carolina Chess Association and its flagship local venue, the tournament celebrates a hundred-year legacy of competitive play by gathering eligible South Carolina residents for five intense rounds of classical over-the-board action.
The main event features a dedicated Championship section for players rated 1600 and above alongside an Under-1600 division, with games in the top section counting toward both US Chess and FIDE ratings.
Competitors can tailor their weekend through flexible schedule options, choosing either a traditional three-day format starting Friday evening or an accelerated two-day start on Saturday morning that merges into the third round. Both tracks feature standard time controls of G/90 with a 15-second increment per move once joined.
Organizers have established a published prize schedule of $5,000 based on 70 entries, with a guaranteed minimum fund scaling upward alongside player turnout.
Top honors in the Championship division reach $875 for first place with dedicated class prizes, while the lower section guarantees competitive rewards down to the Under-1200 category.
Beyond the classical board battle, the centennial gathering hosts the South Carolina Chess Association’s annual meeting alongside a fast-paced six-round blitz event on Saturday evening.
Held at the club’s permanent playing venue on St. Andrews Road in northwest Columbia, attendance is strictly capped at 74 participants with mandatory online registration.
